Shutting It All Down

I went quiet for a few years.  I did so, at first, to take some time to learn.  I sat here at my desk and at the office and had my opinions but I wanted to know more about the perspectives of others.  So in 2012 and 2013 I went quiet and I just listened, asked questions, went to meetings and places that I would not normally have gone to and I learned.

 It was in 2014 that life, as it does, caught up with me and all of my time and attention had to go to it.  For the past two years I have been dedicating myself to my work and family with little time for much else.

I have learned a lot in the past two years.  Have my fiscal conservative roots changed.  No.  Has my socially moderate leanings changed.  Slightly.  What I have seen change is the party that I grew up a part of.  The party of Lincoln and Reagan has become overly hawkish and demanding.  Rather than being the party of limited government and lower taxes, it has become the party of big defense and big spending.  In fact, the only difference between the Republicans and the Democrats is that the Republicans want to spend money on national defense and the NSA while the Democrats want to spend it on entitlement programs.  Both parties talk of fiscal responsibility but both want to just kick the can down the road.

When Rand Paul declared his run for president I was hopeful.  Here was a man that was talking about limited government and had practiced it during his time in the Senate.  He talked of a stronger defense but a smaller budget to the defense department.  He talked about lowering entitlement but also getting rid of huge sentencing for petty drug convictions.  He reached out to minorities and those that the Republicans did not talk to.  Early on he was the guy to beat, but then the Republican establishment and the clown Donald Trump stepped in.

Now, the only candidate worth a damn is gone and the rest of the Republicans are talking about defense and low taxes with no real way to do things like balance the budget or get us out of all of these wars.

The Tea Party movement and those of us involved early on were a movement of people that were tired of the government as it was.  We were tired of a bloated piglet suckling on the nipple of the American taxpayer.  We were mad at both Republicans and Democrats.  We protested and we voted.  In doing so we brought about change.  Unfortunately, our two party system has warped some of those individuals into falling in line and not standing up for the people that elected them.

Then, the Tea Party movement was infiltrated and warped into a division of the Christian Right who insisted on using it as a platform for God and country.  The Tea Party movement was never about God or Christianity.  It was about low taxes and the government staying out of our business.

Now, all those original Tea Party individuals are flocking to either Ted Cruz, who has some streaks of smaller government and individualism or the clown Donald Trump who talks a good game and is the "outsider" that people have been requesting.

Short of a miracle, this country is screwed.  We are either going to have a criminal and liar as our president or a reality show narcissist.

Maybe our country has gotten too large to govern the way it needs to be.  Or maybe we have been manipulated into believing that we must fall into a two party system that are two wings of the same buzzard.

It is for this reason, I believe that we MUST shut it all down.  We must break away from the two party system.  We must hold our elected officials accountable for their inaction.

We are like the Greeks and the Romans.  We, as a nation, are fat and happy and have little disregard for what is around us.  We are not paying attention and holding our government accountable for its actions.  It is because of us and our lack of action that we too, as a nation, will fall.

If you want to change this, then break away from the two party system.  Vote Green Party, Constitution Party, Libertarian or something else.  If you do not know how you really side, go ISideWith.com and take their poll to see where you should fall.  Quit settling for the best of the worst.

Labels

Hello all,

First of all Merry Christmas, Happy Hanuka, Happy New Year and Happy Festivus.

It has been awhile since I blogged and that has been because I have been spending a majority of my time with my wife and kids. Everything I do, all of the political activism, my job, etc. is to help my family live the life that we want to live. With that said, I believe it is good for the body, mind and soul to occasionally take a step away and just relax. So, that is what I have been and will probably continue to do for awhile.

As always, with that said, there is something that I want to get off my chest that has been weighing heavily on me. I am probably going to get flamed for this, but so be it.

Maybe it is just me, but I have been noticing that people and the media are really looking to be labeled lately. It harkens back to high school and everyone wanting to choose what group you are/want to belong to. We have people saying they are Conservatives, Republicans, Tea Partiers, Moderates, Liberals, Fiscal Conservatives, Democrats, Blue Dogs, etc. Why do we feel the need for these labels? I understand that as we know it today there is a two party system and that the rule of government is broken up based upon party lines. That I can deal with, but now we are dealing with people who want to continue to fractionalize those groups. Lindsey Grahm is a RINO, Jim DeMint is a Conservative, Michelle Backman is a Tea Partier, Ben Nelson is a Blue Dog Democrat and on and on and on. Why?

Does it really matter?

There are fellow bloggers that will call out Lindsey Grahm for taking a moderate position and say he is a RINO, he is not a true conservative. There are Democrats who are calling out Claire McCaskill for wanting to ban earmarks as not a true Democrat. Whatever.

Let's face it people, there is no true conservative. There is no litmus test for being a Republican or Democrat. We need to get over the labels and the name calling. Period.

If you are fiscally conservative, but believe in gay marriage and allowing abortion in some cases, you can still be a Republican.
If you are progressive in your social beliefs but believe in a strong military and defense, you can still be a Democrat.

Both parties and its members want to say they are big tent parties. We welcome all sides and will listen to all points of view. It seems to be that way until you join, when you are told to sit down, shut up and follow our party positions.

As bloggers and as politically active members of our society, we need to each get beyond these labels and talk about the root of the matter. Say what you believe in and what you expect of your representatives. Understand that other representatives may make different decisions or have different opinions based upon the people they represent. Remember, this is a BIG country and not everyone thinks like a North County Blue Collar Republican, a South County White Collar Democrat, a St. Charles Catholic Conservative or a Ladue Jewish Progressive (Don't you just love the labels). Because of the desires of others around the country, our Congressman/women and Senators have to negotiate to get things done. Pure and simple. We cannot start calling people names and labels because they do not conform to what we think they should be.

That said, there are times when people have had enough. That is where the Tea Party came in. The Tea Party was a name for a group of people that were tired of government as is. They were a group of people that are against something. They are the party of NO. Because the Tea Party is not a true party, but a label of people that are sick of the standard government. The Tea Party should stay that way but instead it is being converted and twisted into a part of the Republican party. It is becoming and being twisted into some sort of alternate ego for fiscal and in some cases social conservatives. Those that say they run the Tea Party should be wary of allowing this. The Tea Party label, if we must have one, should continue to be independent of Conservatives, Progressives, Republicans and Democrats. It should be no different than the NRA or any other advocacy group. The Tea Party should be the label for the people who are saying NO to big government. No more, no less.

So, after saying this, let me tell you who I am. Not in a label that can be summarized, but in words.

• I am someone who usually votes Republican but has voted Democrat.
• I am someone who votes based upon the issues and the stances taken by the candidates.
• I am someone who believes in a small and limited government.
• I am someone who believes that the best offense is a good defense (and if we are talking sports a good QB or Albert Pujols helps).
• I am someone that wants you and everyone else to stay out of my and everyone else's bedroom.
• I do not think the government should be able to license marriage. Marriage is a religious act. I personally believe that the government can license civil union contracts between a man & woman, a man & man, and a woman & woman. Let the churches decide how they want to or do not want to define marriage.
• I think the best way to have equality is to get rid of any and all social programs that push one race, gender, religion or sexual preference over another
• I think America is one of the most perfect places to live because of our liberties.

So, are you just a label or are you more?

Television You NEED To Watch

My friends. I told you that I probably would not post unless I saw something that I thought needed to be shared. Last week, I saw such a thing.

As someone who does his research before going out with a story, I watched three hours of truly remarkable television that i want to share. Glenn Beck did an amazing three hours on George Soros AKA "Spooky Dude" and his influence, power and attempt to change the United States.

I suggest each of you watch this. Dedicate some time to it and reflect. Then as Glenn says, go out and do the research. I can tell you from a personal standpoint, there have been countless times as I investigate different things, whether it be Lacy Clay or various other things that I look into, groups like the Tides Foundation continue to come up.

This is well worth your time to watch. Please do.

Get Out and Volunteer While You Still Can

This is a quick post.

I received an email from a friend asking me where I have been. In all bluntness, I am out working the ground. My wife volunteered to work on a couple of campaigns and I am helping her. Even now there are still many people who have not made up their minds. It is our job to inform them of their options and make sure they are informed voters.

As I have said all along, it is now up to each of YOU to make sure you are working with a candidate. Are you in the second district and want to make sure that DC is not being controlled by Reid and Pelosi, then get up off your couch/office chair and volunteer.

This weekend, Robyn Hamlin, ED Martin, Bill Corrigan and the St. Louis Tea Party can all use your help.

If you want to help but don't know how check out these sites

Robyn Hamlin - http://www.hamlinforcongress.com/
Ed Martin - http://edmartinforcongress.com/
Bill Corrigan - http://www.corriganforexec.com/
St. Louis Tea Party - http://www.stlouisteaparty.com/

Also, do you live on or near a busy intersection or street. You can help out by allowing one or several of these campaigns to put out yard signs. Believe it or not, the name recognition helps.

Right now, the Dems are on the ropes and are scared. All of their gerrymandering of districts over the years is not helping them with this election. Carnahan and Clay have both voted for very unpopular bills including health care control, TARP, and the auto bailout. These bills were all passed and have done little to nothing to improve our overall economic condition.

I am signing off for now to go work the campaigns. You should do the same.

Lacy Clay's Radio Interview

In case you did not know or hear about it, Congressman Lacy Clay was on KWMU on Monday. Don Marsh gave what I will call a friendly interview with Clay, not really challenging him as much as he could have been. You can listen to the interview here:

Windows Media Version or MP3 Version

Honestly, you do not really get anything new out of Lacy that we have not heard before. That said, there were a couple of things that I found interesting.

1. Why is it that Lacy feels the only way to creat jobs is via the government. He touts jobs saved but it was only through government intervention. He talks about 600 jobs created but it was only because of newly created government jobs. At no time did he talk about making it easier for businesses to hire new employees. He did briefly mention the small business bill, but that was in reference to his whining about Republicans being obstructionist.


2. When did Lacy Clay become a hawk (pro defense). This is a man who repeatedly talks about and speaks ill of going to war in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet he talked highly of the defense spending for Boeing. Maybe it is just me, but it seems hypocritical.


3. He talked of the cynicism and obstructionism of Republicans and how after the election they should have come together to work with Obama. Well, it seams to me that the Democrats are just as guilty of obstructionism, see Freddie and Fannie reform as covered previously, and Republicans did offer alternatives that Obama, for the most part refused to listen to.

After listening to the interview, I was able to touch bsae with Robyn Hamlin regarding his remarks about the Federal Reserve. He took some not so subtle swipes at Robyn and others regarding the Fed. This is what Robyn had to say.

He would not co-sponsor HR 1207 until Barney Frank told him it was okay and by
that time there were enough co-sponsors for the bill to pass if it made it to the floor. Clay sits on the financial services committee and they watered it down then added it to another bill. He did NOT vote for HR 1207 to Audit The Fed in it's initial wording. The Audit The Fed bill was a one page bill.

In essence, Lacy did not have the backbone to do what is right and stand up for a cause. He had to wait for others to get involved.

Lacy is lock step in with the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Barney Frank.

The Truth Behind Budget Surpluses

You know how Dems are out there saying that it was Clinton and the Democrats that brought about budget surpluses. Well this great video debunks that myth with the one thing that Dems cannot argue, statistics and facts.

It was not Clinton that brought budget surpluses, but a Republican majority that forced it.

Do You Know Your District? - UPDATED

As I talked about in an earlier post HERE, the census is very important to politicians. Yes it gives government an idea of who lives where and all sorts of statistical data, but it also plays a very important part to the House of Representatives. After the 2000 census, St. Louis was re-districted.

Here is what the 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts looked like pre-redistricting. Maps courtesy of the US Census

The districts were changed after the census to look like this.

The third district saw some changes, but the second and first districts were changed the most. Parts of north county as well as a decent chunk of west county were all taken from the second district and moved into the first. This change was done in such a way to almost guarantee the status quo, thus meaning the first district would be represented by a Democrat.

The sad thing is, a lot of people do not know that they were moved around. This became very apparent when a co-worker who lives in Maryland Heights was complaining that she had no one to vote against Todd Akin (she is a yellow dog Democrat). When I challenged her on whether or not she was in Akin's district, she swore she was. I had her go to this tool HERE. Low and behold she found out that she is in fact in District 1. She was not even looking because she was sure that she was in the 2nd district. This got me thinking, so I started asking more and more people that live in Maryland Heights, Hazelwood area and many, not all, thought that they were still in the second district.

So, it was with great surprise that I received an email with the following video.

Take the time and learn what district you are in and make sure you cast your ballot come November 2nd.

Fannie and Freddie and the art of Hypocrisy

I have seen it in my own neighborhood and you probably have too. People quickly and quietly packing up their houses, putting everything they can in cars, trailers and trucks, suddenly leaving the neighborhood they called home. Why were they doing this, because they were being foreclosed upon.

The market crash of 2008 was one of the worst that this country has seen in a couple of generations. Today, we are still suffering the repercussions of that crash. Many people are still out of work, many houses sit empty due to foreclosure and 401K’s were greatly diminished. The reason, or much of the reason for this is due to the gross mismanagement of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

I was reminded of this topic while going through my emails and looking at an e-newsletter I had received from Lacy Clay. His letter read as such:

Thank you for reading another edition of my e-newsletter.

In the wake of our nation’s current economic crisis, I strongly support the establishment of a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to hold big banks and Wall Street accountable. Congress must ensure that taxpayers will never again be forced to bail out big banks and huge firms because they are "too big to fail."

Financial reform is vital to ending the reckless schemes and outrageous abuses that nearly caused a second Great Depression and contributed to millions of Americans losing their jobs.

As a member of the House Financial Services Committee, I am committed to working with my colleagues and President Obama to adopt strong, common sense rules that will protect our economy and working families.

Honest and transparent financial reform will help create a stronger financial sector so that small businesses can get loans, families can get affordable mortgages, and entrepreneurs can create the jobs of tomorrow.

Consumer financial protections are currently spread across seven different government agencies. Our objective is to create one single Consumer
Financial Protection Agency -- tasked with preventing predatory practices and
making sure you get the clear information you need to understand your personal
finances.

You can learn more about the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act that I strongly supported by clicking here.

For additional information on Financial Reform and many other topics, please visit my website at http://lacyclay.house.gov/.

It is a great honor for me to represent your interests in Congress. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts and concerns. I value your views, as your input helps me to better represent the people of Missouri’s 1st District.

Sincerely,

Lacy

Re-reading this, I had to laugh to myself as he is trying to talk of economic reform and ending the reckless schemes that hurt our nation. It was with great amusement, then, that I stumbled across this you-tube video featuring Lacy and several other Democrats railing against those trying to create oversight over Freddie and Fannie.



I find it funny that Lacy and others try and make this into a racial issue rather than deal with the facts from those that know what they are talking about. While not coming out and saying those suggesting oversight were racist, they used words like “..the political lynching of Franklin Raines” and such. This is the standard move by Democrats when they cannot discuss things using logic or are proven to be wrong, throw out the race card.

Now, of course, the Democrats want to point the blame at the Republicans for all of this. They talk about how this could have been avoided when the Republicans had control if they really knew there was an issue. Never mind that even Bill Clinton had concerns about the size and power of Fannie and Freddie. This is just pure hypocrisy on their part; complain about wanting regulation and then when things fall apart, blame those who tried to implement it for not doing so. That said, the Republicans do have some blame in this. They could have pushed more to get something done. Yes, the called for regulation, but did not really push the matter as far as it could have gone. In this case, the Democrats were the obstructionists that created much of the mess we are in now.

This is just another thing for everyone to think about when it comes time to vote. Sure, they are claiming they are for oversight now, but where were they before the crisis? I am sure this is another question that Lacy does not want to have to answer at a town hall or a debate.

Political Donations and You

What does a donation mean to a political candidate? Well, if you are challenging an established incumbent, it can mean a lot. In St. Louis, we have two candidates that are challenging established incumbents with decent war chest funds. These challengers need YOUR time, effort and yes money to be able to succeed.

Why do they need YOUR donations, you may be asking. There are two reasons.

1. Candidates need donations of time and money. They need:
• time because they cannot be at all places at all times. They need people to help organize fundraisers, drop literature, assist at events, make phone calls, make mailers, answer the phones, etc. A volunteer, a true volunteer and not one of the Democrat paid volunteers, is worth their weight in gold to a candidate. They are the lifeblood of a challenger and can make the difference in a tight election.
• money because that is what it takes to get their name out. Money is needed to register to run, print flyers, run advertisements on radio and TV, get a web page made, have a phonebank make calls and even rent and operate a headquarters.
• stuff. You would be surprised what kind of stuff a candidate needs. They need computers and printers. If they have printers, they need toner and paper. If they have a headquarters, the need furniture. They need yard signs, bumper stickers, buttons, shirts and hats. They need all of the things that a normal business needs to operate, but they need it quicker.
2. If the money comes from you, the candidate is being paid for by you. If the candidate gets their money from PACs and companies, they are indebted to these companies. Not all candidates are this way. There are several out there that do what is right for the people. That said, there are many that are willing to do what is right for their campaign contributors. Do you think Lacy Clay would give a care for the Rent to Own industry if they did not pay him or his personal PAC so much money? If you want a candidate that is going to represent you and not have to make deals with companies and PAC's to get money, then YOU have to donate and not leave it to the interest groups

Based upon the current, as of data available today, Federal Elections Commission information, here is how the two races look in regards to donations. Both Russ Carnahan and Lacy Clay have received more money from PAC's than they have from individuals. Don't believe me, click on the images below to see for yourself. These come straight from the FEC website.

If you want to do your own homework, click HERE to go to the Missouri page.

To add insult to injury, of Lacy Clay's $185,642 in individual contributions, $89,420 is from people out of the state of Missouri. In the case of Russ Carnahan, $96,510 out of $575,207 is from people out of the state of Missouri. While Russ has a higher percentage of Missouri donations, both seem to be receiving a lot of money from out of state interests.

In the interest of fairness, I have to say that Ed Martin has received a considerable amount of money from out of state individuals too. Of his $820,064 in individual donations, $101,916 comes from individuals out of state. Robyn Hamlin does not have any individual donations listed, meaning that she has not received, any individual donations over $200.00.

Across the board, people agree that it is time to get rid of the established and entrenched Democrats that have sat in the Senate and Congress for years and done nothing for their constituents. If you really want this to occur, the candidates need your help. They need your financial support and they need your time.

Now, let me say something for those in Missouri in and out of the MO first district. Robyn Hamlin needs your help. There has been no time within in recent history that we have been this close to being able to get rid of Lacy Clay. While many are focusing on the Russ Carnahan vs Ed Martin fight, Robyn is getting ignored. She needs your help too. Lacy Clay is beatable. If you would just please give her a few dollars, it can go a long way. Skipping Starbucks or brown bagging lunch for a week for one person can by some additional flyers, yard signs or bumper stickers. If you can, please go to her website at http://www.hamlinforcongress.com/ and make a donation.

Now On To November

First off, I want to congratulate Robyn Hamlin on winning the primary to run against Lacy Clay. She and Martin D. Baker both had good primary showings. I talked to Martin earlier today and he wanted to "thank all of the wonderful people who helped through this adventure and will continue to support the conservative movement and true conservative candidates". Martin had more to say which I will discuss in an upcoming post

I also want to take a moment and congratulate Candice Britton on a well fought race. Candice had the tough challenge of taking on an incumbent within her own party. Candice was able to secure 19% of the Democrat vote during this primary. With few funds and a lot of hard work, she was able to do a lot. I think this shows the level of dissatisfaction voters have with the current Congress.

With that said, it is now on to November. Robyn Hamlin vs. Lacy Clay will be on the ballot for the November election in the first district. Not to be a wet blanket, but we need to now talk facts. Here are the numbers being reported for Tuesday's vote.

Name	Party	Votes	Vote %
Clay, Lacy (i)	Dem	36,762	59.549%
Britton, Candice	Dem	8,488	13.749%
Hamlin, Robyn	GOP	10,231	16.573%
Baker, Martin	GOP	4,509	7.304%
Works, Marshall	GOP	1,457	2.360%
Stone, Julie	Lib	149	0.241%
Cunningham, Robb	Lib	138	0.224%

As you can see, Lacy has a commanding lead in the vote totals. He took nearly 60% all votes coming in. I know he is the incumbent, but that means we are going to have to work harder and be even more diligent.

The public needs to be made more aware of how he is not working for the people, but instead for special interests and himself. There is enough out there to show his ineptitude. Simply look at:

• his convienent relationship with the rent to own and cash advance companies
• his desire to not be held accountable by the Congressional Ethics Committee
• the documented waste of money in this years census of which Lacy is the Congressional chairman of the committee in charge
• His support of the Federal Health Care
• The mysterious campaign payments to his sister
• His lake of ethics when it comes to taking corporate campaign contributions from companies he rallies agains.

My friends, now is the time to unite and bring down Lacy. We can bicker with one another about certain policies, fiscal reform, etc. I welcome those debates. I encourage those debates. But now is not the time for people to take their ball and go home. We have a candidate in Robyn who has the potential to bring Lacy down. We are all responsible adults who love our country and want to see it prosper. We want everyone to have the chance to succeed and fail. Lacy wants everyone to have guaranteed success by making those that have succeeded fail. We can't afford that. Let us all stand together to help and support Robyn.

Let me tell you a quick story. At my work, there is a small group of us that are all varying degrees of right of center, some more than others. On the day of the elections, a couple of people were talking about voting for Ed Martin. I was asked if I voted for Ed and I explained that I was in the 1st district. Both of them basically sighed and said," ooooh, that's Lacy Clay. You will never be able to get rid of him."

That statement right there is why Lacy continues to win. The perception is that he is a guaranted win for the Democrats. In Robyn, we have a politically active, small business owner, who can step up and talk about everyday scenarios. She can talk to the issues everyone is facing because she is facing them too. Lacy wants everyone to think he is unbeatable, so no one tries. Those that do are not able to get the support needed because everyone thinks it is a no win situation.

So, here is what we need to do.

1. Everyone needs to call Lacy Clay's office and ask for debates between him and Robyn.
2. Everyone needs to start talking up Robyn as the alternative to Lacy
3. Donate. Donate. Donate. We all need to donate either our time, our money or both. Pick up a yard sign, a car magnet or something.
4. Stay alert to what is going on. Lacy and his team will be out there robo calling or making statements about Robyn. If you hear these things or see them, pull out your cell phone and take a picture/video. Email me and we will get it out among the people.
5. Host a get together and invite Robyn or one of her staff. If you are having a big enough get together, call a Jamie Allman, Dana Loesch or Gina Louden and talk about it on one their shows.

These are just a few things that we all can do. This is our district, not Lacy's. Let's take it back for all of the people and not just a select few.

So, what do you think? Are you in?

So Lacy Wants To Talk About Hypocrisy

So Lacy came out today and chided the Republicans for not wanting to extend jobless benefits. He believes that it is hypocrisy on the part of the Republicans for wanting to a way to pay for this extension. This is, of course, the new strategy from Obama, Pelosi and such. We sawe Clair McCaskill saying the same thing last week. All I can say is, oh Lacy and company; how little you seem to understand the problem.

Let me explain it to you and I will try and use basic terms so you can understand it. I would not want to talk over your head.

1. You are upset that the Republicans voted for two “unauthorized wars” as well as the Bush tax cuts. - There are a couple of problems with this statement.
• Congress authorized the President to go forward in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Just because you voted against it does not mean it was unauthorized.
• The Bush tax cuts were not to blame for the fiscal problems; it was Congress spending above the budgeted baseline. Additionally, the original Bush tax cuts helped bring the economy back after the 2001 economic downturn.
2. You also stated, "The people objecting to the extension of unemployment benefits because they're not paid for never talked about that when they passed two tax breaks for the rich.” - The reality is the tax cut actually benefited the lower income brackets more than it did the rich. In 2007, according to CBO and Joint Committee on Taxation data, the increased child tax credit, marriage penalty relief, 10 percent bracket, and AMT were to have a combined budgetary effect of $114 billion. By comparison, capital gains, dividends, and estate tax cuts were projected to reduce 2007 revenues by just $36 billion. Based upon that alone, you can see that tactic of pitting the Republicans as pro rich does not really apply.
3. You stated “I know that there are thousands of Missourians who need their unemployment benefits”. – I have no doubt that there are many people who are in need of some form of wages. That said, these benefits have been extended several times. We CANNOT continue to extend these benefits without end. Let’s face it. Many of these jobs were eliminated. They are no coming back. As long as the government continues to dole out money for free, there is no reason for these people to go and find another job. And don’t you dare say there are no jobs because that is an outright lie. There are plenty of jobs available, unfortunately too many people are not willing to take an entry level position with a company or they are not willing to take the money they have been given to get job training.

Lacy, the American people are tired of government reckless spending. This is not just a Republican thing, this is across the board. There is a reason that Republican and Democrat incumbents are being booted from office. The government is not living within its means.

Think of it this way. My family and I have a budget. We use it to pay our bills, donate to charity and do fun things like rent movies, etc. When we want to make a purchase, we have to save money to do so. If we have to make a purchase, like our furnace goes out, etc., we will either put it on the credit card or work out financing terms. When we work out financing terms, we know that we will have to pay it off within a time limit. Now, if we have too many things on credit, we cannot get credit anymore and have to either do without or get rid of one set of payments to deal with making another set.

The American people are demanding that our government do the same. We are tired of all of Congress running reckless with our hard earned money.

So yes Lacy, is there a bit of hypocrisy among some Republicans. Yes. But they are at least learning their lesson. The American public will not stand for it.

Oh and by the way. I do not know if your mother ever told you this, but two wrongs do not make a right.

St. Louis - The Democrats' Paradise?

This is an older article that I stumbled upon that I thought I would share. Even though it is four years old, it brings up several points that are still relevant today.

American Thinker: St. Louis:The Democrats' Paradise

Here is a little snippet from this article -

.....Democrats have had complete control of the apparatus of voting here with the expected results. Vote fraud has been rampant for as long as I can remember, going back to the election of 1980 and before. Considering the fact that a Republican couldn't get elected trash collector here, it is absolutely amazing the amount of fraud which occurs. Remember the election of 2000 when 247,135 of 258,532 adults registered to vote? This 95.6% voter registration is a ridiculous number, clearly illustrating a massive effort to defraud.

In fact, deceased Alderman Albert 'Red' Villa was registered, as was a Springer Spaniel named Ritzy Mekler. A Judge friendly to the Clay dynasty in north St. Louis ordered that the polls be kept open late (allowing the busloads of voters to be shuttled from polling place to polling place) in a redux of then—Governor Kit Bond`s re—election campaign. A couple of days before the elections, future Congressman Lacy Clay was quoted as saying in 2000,

'If it requires keeping the polls open a little longer, we're going to get a court order to do it....'

Strangely, the polling places were flooded with voters, many of whom looked suspiciously like people seen at other polling stations. Anyone having trouble with their registration was sent to the Board of Election Commissioners to vote (no
questions asked), where they were given a ballot. Remember, the election
board is dominated by city Democrats.

So now, the question really is, are YOU ready to do what it takes to start taking our city, our county and the country back?

What Happened to Transparency, Lacy?

If you were not paying attention, you may not have heard about this. Apparently, a new resolution has been submitted by half of the Congressional Black Caucus that would change the rules of the Ethics Committee.

On May 28th, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, and 19 fellow Congressional Black Caucus members quietly introduced House Resoltion 1416, right before the Memorial Day weekend, that would limit the powers of the new independent Office of Congressional Ethics.

The Office of Congressional Ethics was formed by Congress in 2008 and is run by a panel of private citizens. The office, which doesn't have the power to sanction lawmakers, essentially serves as an advisory board to the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. The House Standards Committee is run by lawmakers who are charged with policing their peers.

The citizen-run Office of Congressional Ethics is far more open than the notoriously secretive Congressional Standards Committee. The Ethics Committee publicizes its referrals to the Standards Committee even when the Standards Committee finds no violations.

Fudge's proposal would remove that power, and allow lawmakers on the Standards Committee to seal from public view the ethics office's findings on matters deemed meritless. Also, the resolution would make it harder for the Ethics Committee to initiate investigations, requiring a sworn complaint from a citizen claiming personal knowledge of an alleged violation. This change could prevent complaints from watchdog groups as well as investigative bloggers.

Another interesting tidbit is, it would prevent the Standards Committee from taking a referral from the Ethics Committee within 60 days before an election in which the subject of the case is a candidate. It does not specify if Primary Elections count or if it only a general election. If primary elections count, this means that a Congressman or Congresswoman would be void of jurisdiction for 120 days out of the 730 days of their elected cycle or roughly 1/6th of their term.

So what does any of this have to do with Lacy Clay? He appears to be one of the members that signed on to this resolution. A copy of this bill can be found HERE.

Why would Lacy Clay support a bill like this? Is he fearful that people are on to him and his shenanigans? Is he afraid of a Congressional body investigating his cozy relationship with the Rent-to-Own and Payday Loan groups? Or is he concerned about the large campaign payments he has made to his sister's law group? Is he fearful that something may come out during his divorce proceedings? Is he fearful that one of his competitors has something on him that could be used to muddy the waters of his re-election campaign? You have to wonder.

Stay tuned. With everything else going on in Lacy's world, this could get interesting.

The Arizona Immigration Bill

OK, I have been sitting on this one for awhile. When it came out, I wrote a whole column on it and decided to sit on it. Why? I wanted to see what the response would be. Let's just say I was not surprised. People all over the place are running around screaming that this is an attack on civil liberties, it is anti-Hispanic, etc. Here's the rub, this law does nothing but reiterate the federal law. In other words, there will not be people asking to see your papers as you try and get on a commuter train like Nazi Germany.

The left are once again overreacting to a law that HAD to be made. The federal government was not taking action. Instead both the Bush and Obama administration want to look the other way. There are some who just want to grant them amnesty because it is easier and a good way to buy votes. Any time someone wants to really do something about it people the likes of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton go on the warpath claiming it is Jim Crowe law, etc.

Think about this for a second. Michigan has a high Middle Eastern population. Some of them are here legally and some illegally. The state legislature comes out and says that we are having too many issues and cannot afford to offer free health care to the illegals. In addition, they are taking jobs for lower than standard living wages, which are keeping legal residents from obtaining these jobs. So, if this law was passed, do you think there would be as much of a stir up? Sure, the ACLU would be out there protesting this as would some of the hard core liberals, but do you think people would be talking about boycotting visits to the state of Michigan? Do you think that people would be trying to get the NFL or MLB to not hold major sports activities there? Of course not. Because in this example I am talking about people who are from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, etc.

The only reason Democrats and the MSM are making such a big deal about this is because Arizona's issues are with Hispanics. The Hispanic population is the fastest growing population in the US. The culture of the Hispanic community is one that tends to have the same ideals as those of many moderate and conservative Republicans. Hispanics tend to be religious, have a strong sense of both nuclear and extended family and have a sense of pride in their work and performance at work. What we are seeing here is the Democrats and the MSM lap dogs attempting to sway and eventually indoctrinate the Hispanic community into voting Democrat. No more, no less.

Will there be bad cops who take advantage of this new law to harass Hispanics. Yes. Believe me, though, that happens now anyway. There will always be bad cops. Just as there will always be good cops who will follow the law and sometimes take the extra steps to make sure justice prevails on the correct side.

The Arizona immigration law is needed and just. Let the liberals wine and cry, but at the end of the day it will remain law and other states will be doing the same thing. Hell, you know you are in trouble when Caffferty is slamming you.

The Dangerous Next Steps of This Administration

Health care passed without one Republican vote. Hundreds of thousands of voters, Republican, Democrat and Independent shout and plead their opposition. Obama, Pelosi and Reid shrug. Why do they shrug? Because they do not understand or care what we think. People, we need to wake up. The leaders within our government think they know better than us. They went to ivy league schools and many of them lived a privileged life or lived a life of politics and academia. Since they do not understand the real world, they are saying, "Let them eat cake."

Barack Obama and his various minions have long said that once health care legislation passed Congress and it was signed into law, the people would rally around it. This is dangerous thinking my friends. These highly educated politicians think the know better than the populace. History has seen this before and it was called an Aristocracy. Aristocracy is close relative to Socialism or a Communist state. These elitist think they know what is best for us and are forcing it down our throats and they are doing so with well though out and funded marketing packages.

Health care is the first step in a well thought out plan to change the way this country functions on a day to day basis. Had the economy not been tanking, there would have been no way for the government to take ownership stake in private industries. With the US in major recession, it was easy to sell the concept of the government owning stock in major corporations, or in the case of GM, a complete takeover of a publicly traded company. Had the recession not been in full effect and GM on the verge of bankruptcy, the first thing he would have gone after would have been health care. Why is that, because it is easy to paint anyone who is against health care for all as uncaring. It is also easy to make comparisons between universal health care and things like civil rights or medicare.

Now that health care has passed, it legitimizes government intervention into other areas. Just look at the student loan process. Even though it had nothing to do with health care, Congress and the Senate saw fit to add having the government run this program. This was done supposedly to save millions of dollars. That is until you find out that the payback program.

The bill will lower the monthly cap on loan repayments from 15 percent to 10 percent. Beginning in 2014 students will not be required to spend more than 10 percent of their income on loan payments. In addition, loans issued after 2014 will be eligible for loan forgiveness after 20 years rather than 25 years. As long as students make their payments in a timely manner for 20 years they can be forgiven of the remaining balance. This has the potential to cost even more money and cause continued job loss in the financial sector. In addition, it is another piece of the pie that the government is now controlling.

Next the Obama administration wants to tackle the financial sector. Of course this is done all in the name of protecting the populace. Consider the comments of VP Joe Biden in an interview with Aaron Task

"It's a simple proposition to us: Everyone is entitled to adequate medical
health care," Biden says. "If you call that a 'redistribution of income' --
well, so be it. I don't call it that. I call it just being fair -- giving the
middle class taxpayers an even break that the wealthy have been getting."

The VP of the United States is legitimizing the redistribution of wealth under the guise of fairness to the middle class. You have to wonder, though, what this administration considers middle class.

This is why it is not too far of a stretch to imagine the government trying to dictate who we can purchase vehicles from. Can't you see the government demand that all new cars be a Chevy Volt as part of some new climate change or green technology government package. What

Representative Michael Burgess had to say this week is not that far off.

The point is, the leaders in Washington are not looking out for us. They believe they know more than each of us and can tell us how to live our lives. The Republicans were just as responsible for maleficence as the Democrats are now. The difference is the Democrats are quickly making up for lost time.

There are many incumbents who are good Congressmen and Senators, both at the state and federal level. We need to support these people as candidates. In this upcoming election, each one of us needs to take a long hard look at the candidates and determine whether or not they are politicians looking to live off of the public teat or are they public servants who want to perform the act of representing the constituency. I do not know about you, but I would rather have a Congressman or Senator that I disagree with, who at least listens to and acts upon the needs and desires of his constituents versus a politician who caters to special interests, their own self interests or what they think is the best.

And since I know that you and or your staff read this website Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan. Yes I am talking about you two and I look forward to you two being private citizens come January of next year.

Congressional Democrats - Take Notice

Consider this a public service for all of those who are ticked off with what happened last night as much as I am. Since not a one Republican voted for this atrocity, they are not mentioned in this blog entry. Instead, you will find every Democrat up for re-election or running as a candidate for another political position along with how they voted in last nights election. This is listed by state and includes their congressional district as well as their date elected into office as a Congressman in the House of supposed Representatives. I have highlighted in red any Congressman that voted against this bill. Take action as you see fit and continue the fight.

Alabama
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Bobby Neal Bright, Sr.	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Artur Genestre Davis	First elected: 2002 Running for Governor in 2010 Voted No On On Health Care Reform
Arizona
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Ann Kirkpatrick	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Edward L. "Ed" Pastor	First elected: 24 September 1991- in a Special Election Voted Yes On On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Harold E. "Harry" Mitchell	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Gabrielle "Gabby" Giffords	First elected: 2006 VotedYes On Health Care Reform
Arkansas
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Marion Berry	First elected: 1996 – Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Victor Frederick "Vic" Snyder	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Michael Avery "Mike" Ross	First elected: 2000 Voted No On Health Care Reform
California
CD 1Democratic Congressman C. Michael "Mike" Thompson	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Doris K. Matsui	First elected in a special election 8 March 2005 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman Lynn C. Woolsey	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman George Miller	First elected: 1974 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Nancy Pelosi	First elected: 2 June 1987- in Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Barbara Lee	First elected: 7 April 1998- in Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 10 Democratic Congressman John Raymond Garamendi	First elected in a special election: 3 November 2009 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Jerry McNerney	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman Jackie Speier	First elected: 8 April 2008 in a Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Fortney "Pete" Stark	First elected: 1972 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 14 Democratic Congressman Anna G. Eshoo	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 15 Democratic Congressman Michael M. "Mike" Honda	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 16 Democratic Congressman Zoe Lofgren	First elected: 1994 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman Sam Farr	First elected in a special election: 8 June 1993 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 18 Democratic Congressman Dennis A. Cardoza	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 20 Democratic Congressman Jim Costa	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 23 Democratic Congressman Lois G. Capps	First elected: 2003 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 27 Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 28 Democratic Congressman Howard L. Berman	First elected: 1982 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 29 Democratic Congressman Adam B. Schiff	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 30 Democratic Congressman Henry A. Waxman	First elected: 1974 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 31 Democratic Congressman Xavier Becerra	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 32 Democratic Congressman Judy Chu	First elected in a Special Election 14 July 2009 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 33 Democratic Congressman Diane E. Watson	First elected: 5 June 2001- in a Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 34 Democratic Congressman Lucille Roybal-Allard	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 35 Democratic Congressman Maxine Waters	First elected: 1990 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 36 Democratic Congressman Jane Harman	Returned to House: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 37 Democratic Congressman Laura Richardson	First elected in a special election 2007 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 38 Democratic Congressman Grace Flores Napolitano	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 39 Democratic Congressman Linda T. Sánchez	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 43 Democratic Congressman Joe Baca	First elected: 16 November 1999 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 47 Democratic Congressman Loretta Sanchez	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 51 Democratic Congressman Bob Filner	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 53 Democratic Congressman Susan A. Davis	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Colorado
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Diana L. DeGette	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Jared Polis	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman John Tony Salazar	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Elizabeth Helen "Betsy" Markey	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Edwin "Ed" Perlmutter	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Connecticut
CD 1 Democratic Congressman John B. Larson	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Joseph D. "Joe" Courtney	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Rosa L. DeLauro	First elected: 1990 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Jim Himes	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Christopher Scott "Chris" Murphy	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Florida
CD 2 Democratic Congressman F. Allen Boyd, Jr.	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Corrine Brown	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Alan Mark Grayson	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Katherine Anne "Kathy" Castor	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman Kendrick B. Meek	First elected: 2002 Running for Senate Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 19 Democratic Congressman Robert Wexler	First elected: 1996 Retiring in April Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 20 Democratic Congressman Debbie Wasserman Schultz	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 22 Democratic Congressman Ron Klein	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 23 Democratic Congressman Alcee L. Hastings	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 24 Democratic Congressman Suzanne M. Kosmas	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Georgia
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Sanford Dixon Bishop, Jr.	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Henry C. "Hank" Johnson, Jr.	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman John R. Lewis	First elected: 1986 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman James Creel "Jim" Marshall	First elected: 2002 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman John J. Barrow	First elected: 2004 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman David Albert Scott	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Hawaii
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Mazie K. Hirono	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Idaho
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Walter Clifford "Walt" Minnick	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
Illinois
CD 1 Congressman Bobby Lee Rush	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Jesse Louis Jackson, Jr.	First elected: 12 December 1995 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Daniel William Lipinski	First elected: 2004 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Luis V. Gutierrez	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Mike Quigley	First elected: 7 April 2009 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Danny K. Davis	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Melissa Luburich Bean	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Janice D. "Jan" Schakowsky	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Deborah "Debbie" DeFrancesco Halvorson	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman Jerry F. Costello	First elected: in Special Election, 9 August 1988 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 14 Democratic Congressman G. William "Bill" Foster	First elected in a special election: 8 March 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman Philip G. "Phil" Hare	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Indiana
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Peter J. Visclosky	First elected: 1984 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Joseph Simon "Joe" Donnelly	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman André D. Carson	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Brad Ellsworth	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Baron P. Hill	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Iowa
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Bruce L. Braley	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman David Wayne Loebsack	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Leonard L. Boswell	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Kansas
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Dennis Moore	First elected: 1998 Retiring Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Kentucky
CD 3 Democratic Congressman John A. Yarmuth	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman A.B. "Ben" Chandler, III	First elected 17 February 2004 in a special election Voted No on On Health Care Reform
Louisiana
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Charles J. "Charlie" Melancon, Jr.	First elected: 2004 Running for Senate 2010 Voted No on On Health Care Reform
Maine
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Chellie M. Pingree	First elected: 2008 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Michael H. Michaud	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Maryland
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Frank Michael Kratovil, Jr.	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Charles Albert Dutch "C.A. Dutch" Ruppersberger, III	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman John Peter Spyros Sarbanes	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Donna Fern Edwards	First elected in a Special Election, 17 June 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Steny Hamilton Hoyer	First elected in a Special Election, 1981 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Elijah E. Cummings	First elected: in Special Election, 16 April 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Christopher "Chris" Van Hollen, Jr.	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Massachusetts
CD 1 Democratic Congressman John Walter Olver	First elected: in Special Election, 1991 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Richard E. Neal	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman James P. "Jim" McGovern	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Barney Frank	First elected: 1980 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Nicola S. "Niki" Tsongas	First elected in a Special Election, 16 October 2007 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman John F. Tierney	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Edward J. "Ed" Markey	First elected: 1976 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Michael E. "Mike" Capuano	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Stephen F. Lynch	First elected 16 October 2001 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 10 Democratic Congressman William D. "Bill" Delahunt	First elected: 1996 Retiring Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Michigan
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Dale E. Kildee	First elected in Special Election, 1977 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Mark Hamilton Schauer	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Gary Peters	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman Sander M. "Sandy" Levin	First elected: 1982 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 14 Democratic Congressman John Conyers, Jr	First elected: 1964 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 15 Democratic Congressman John D. Dingell	First elected in 1955 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Minnesota
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Timothy J. "Tim" Walz	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Betty McCollum	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Keith Maurice Ellison	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Collin Clark Peterson	First elected: 1990 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman James L. "Jim" Oberstar	First elected: 1974 Yes On Health Care Reform
Mississippi
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Travis W. Childers	First elected in a special election 13 May 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Bennie G. Thompson	First elected in Special Election, 13 April 1993 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Gene Taylor	First elected in Special Election, October 17, 1989 Voted No On Health Care Reform
Missouri
CD 1 Democratic Congressman William Lacy Clay, Jr.	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Russ Carnahan	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton	First elected: 1976 Voted No to On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Nevada
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Shelley Berkley	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Dina Titus	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
New Hampshire
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Carol Shea-Porter	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Paul W. Hodes	First elected: 2006 Running for Senate Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
New Jersey
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Robert E. "Rob" Andrews	First elected in Special Election, 1990 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman John H. Adler	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman William J. "Bill" Pascrell, Jr.	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Steven R. Rothman	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 10 Democratic Congressman Donald M. Payne	First elected: 19968 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman Rush D. Holt	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Albio Sires	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
New Mexico
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Martin T. Heinrich	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Harry Teague	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Ben Ray Luján	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
New York
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Timothy H. "Tim" Bishop	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Steve J. Israel	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Carolyn McCarthy	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Gary L. Ackerman	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman Gregory Weldon Meeks	First elected: 3 February 1998 in Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Joseph "Joe" Crowley	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Jerrold Lewis "Jerry" Nadler	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Anthony D. Weiner	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 10 Democratic Congressman Edolphus "Ed" Towns	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Yvette D. Clarke	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman Nydia M. Velazquez	First elected: 2006 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Michael E. "Mike" McMahon	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 14 Democratic Congressman Carolyn B. Maloney	First elected: 1992 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 15 Democratic Congressman Charles B. Rangel	First elected: 1970 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 16 Democratic Congressman José E. Serrano	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman Eliot L. Engel	First elected: 1988 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 18 Democratic Congressman Nita M. Lowey	First elected: 1988 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 19 Democratic Congressman John Joseph Hall	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 20 Democratic Congressman H. Scott Murphy	Re-elected Tuesday 31 March 2009 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 21 Democratic Congressman Paul David Tonko	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 22 Democratic Congressman Maurice D. Hinchey	First elected: 1992 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 23 Democratic Congressman William L. "Bill" Owens	First elected in a special election: 3 November 2009 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 24 Democratic Congressman Michael Angelo "Mike" Arcuri	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 25 Democratic Congressman Daniel Benjamin "Dan" Maffei	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 27 Democratic Congressman Brian M. Higgins	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 28 Democratic Congressman Louise McIntosh Slaughter	First elected: 1986 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
North Carolina
CD 1 Democratic Congressman G. K. Butterfield	First elected in Special Election, 20 July 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Bob Etheridge	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman David E. Price	Returned to House: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Mike McIntyre	First elected: 1996 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Lawrence Webb "Larry" Kissell	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Joseph Heath "Heath" Shuler	First elected: 2006 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 12 Democratic Congressman Melvin L. "Mel" Watt	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Ralph Bradley "Brad" Miller	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
North Dakota
At-Large Democratic Congressman Earl Ralph Pomeroy	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Ohio
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Steven Leo "Steve" Driehaus	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman Charles A. "Charlie" Wilson, Jr.	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Marcy C. Kaptur	First elected: 1982 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 10 Democratic Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Marcia L. Fudge	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Betty Sue Sutton	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 15 Democratic Congressman Mary Jo Kilroy	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 16 Democratic Congressman John A. Boccieri	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman Timothy J. "Tim" Ryan	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 18 Democratic Congressman Zachary T. "Zach" Space	First elected: 2006 Voted No On Health Care Reform
Oklahoma
CD 2 Democratic Congressman David Daniel "Dan" Boren	First elected: 2004 Voted No On Health Care Reform
Oregon
CD 1 Democratic Congressman David Wu	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Earl Blumenauer	First elected in Special Election, 1996 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Peter Anthony "Pete" DeFazio	First elected: 1986 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Kurt Schrader	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Pennsylvania
D 1 Democratic Congressman Robert A. Brady	First elected in Special Election, 1998 Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Chaka Fattah	First elected: 1994 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Kathleen Ann "Kathy" Dahlkemper	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Jason Altmire	First elected: 2006 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman Joseph A. "Joe" Sestak, Jr.	First elected: 2006 Candidate for the Senate in 2010. Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Patrick J. Murphy	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 10 Democratic Congressman Christopher P. "Chris" Carney	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski	First elected: 1984 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 13 Democratic Congressman Allyson Y. Schwartz	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 14 Democratic Congressman Mike Doyle	First elected: 1994 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman T. Timothy "Tim" Holden	First elected: 1992 Voted No On Health Care Reform
Rhode Island
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy	First elected: 1994 Retiring Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman James R. Langevin	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
South Carolina
CD 5 Democratic Congressman John McKee Spratt, Jr.	First elected: 1982 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman James E. "Jim" Clyburn	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
South Dakota
At-Large Democratic Congressman Stephanie M. Herseth Sandlin	First elected: 1 June 2004 in a Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Tennessee
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Lincoln Edward Davis	First elected: 2002 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman James H. S. "Jim" Cooper	First elected: 2002 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman Barton Jennings "Bart" Gordon	First elected: 1984 Yes On Health Care Reform Retiring
CD 8 Democratic Congressman John S. Tanner	First elected: 1988 Retiring Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Stephen Ira "Steve" Cohen	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Texas
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Alexander "Al" Green	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 15 Democratic Congressman Rubén E. Hinojosa	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 16 Democratic Congressman Silvestre Reyes	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 17 Democratic Congressman Chet Edwards	First elected: 2004 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 18 Democratic Congressman Sheila Jackson Lee	First elected: 1994 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 20 Democratic Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez	First elected: 1999 in a Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 23 Democratic Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 25 Democratic Congressman Lloyd A. Doggett	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 27 Democratic Congressman Solomon P. Ortiz	First elected: 1982 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 28 Democratic Congressman Henry R. Cuellar	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 29 Democratic Congressman Raymond E. "Gene" Green	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 30 Democratic Congressman Eddie Bernice Johnson	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Utah
CD 2 Democratic Congressman James David "Jim" Matheson	First elected: 200 Voted No On Health Care Reform
Vermont
At-Large Democratic Congressman Peter F. Welch	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Virginia
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Glenn Carlyle Nye, III	First elected: 2008 Voted No healthcare Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott	First elected: 1992 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 5 Democratic Congressman Thomas Stuart Price "Tom" Perriello	First elected: 2008 Voted No On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman James P. "Jim" Moran, Jr.	First elected: 1990 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman Frederick C. "Rick" Boucher	First elected: 1982 Voted No healthcare Reform
CD 11 Democratic Congressman Gerald E. "Gerry" Connolly	First elected: 2008 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Washington
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Jay R. Inslee	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Rick R. Larsen	First elected: 2000 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Brian N. Baird	First elected: 1998 Retiring Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 6 Democratic Congressman Norman D. "Norm" Dicks	First elected: 1976 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman James A. "Jim" McDermott	First elected: 1988 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 9 Democratic Congressman David Adam "Adam" Smith	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
West Virginia
CD 1 Democratic Congressman Alan Bowlby Mollohan	First elected: 1982 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Nick Joe Rahall, II	First elected: 1976 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
Wisconsin
CD 2 Democratic Congressman Tammy Baldwin	First elected: 1998 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 3 Democratic Congressman Ron Kind	First elected: 1996 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 4 Democratic Congressman Gwendolynne "Gwen" Moore	First elected: 2004 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 7 Democratic Congressman David R. Obey	First elected: 1969 Special Election Voted Yes On Health Care Reform
CD 8 Democratic Congressman Steven Leslie "Steve" Kagen	First elected: 2006 Voted Yes On Health Care Reform